CD Reviews

As Good As Ever!

J. Levine | 07/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album as an audio cassette about 15 years ago. In truth, it was the devastatingly sexy picture of Simone on the cover that attracted me-- I hadn't heard her of her, or her music. But once I started listening, I fell in love. On the CD, you never get a sense of this, but on audio cassette or vinyl, it's very clear. The first side (first five songs) are about falling in love or being in love. The second side (the next five songs) are about love lost, betrayed, gone... Every time I go into a record store, I look for 'Vicio' in the Brazilian section, and it's never there. Finally, I ordered it used, here, and received a great copy. It's everything I remember: Sensual, sexy, sad, great... My favorite is the very first cut - "Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar" (I know I'm Going to Love You). It's by Jobim, and accompanied solo by him on the piano. Simone's voice, and the sound of Portuegese on her lips are the soul of romance and sensuality. My second favorite is from the flip side, "Trocando Em Miudos" (Splitting Hairs), about breaking up with a faithless lover, and who takes-- and gives-- what back after a break up. And what romantic cannot love a song whose first line is, "Amar e sofrer" -- To love is to suffer... ? (From "Simples Carinho" (Simple Caress)) Simone has had a long and illustrious career, though mostly unknown in the US. She is a wonderful, no, fantastic talent. And this is simply the sexiest album ever made."